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The group said Ashton broke campaign promises by not having any senior management of Hispanic or African-American background.

"Why have you forgotten the people who put you in office?" said former prosecutor Kyan Ware.

Ware said Ashton came to minority churches and civic groups asking for their support to unseat long-time incumbent state attorney Lawson Lamar.

At that time, the Florida Civil Rights Association said Ashton promised to have the kind of racial and ethnic diversity critics claims Lamar's administration was lacking.

"If you want help from communities and you get you should fully expect they will come to you and say, 'Be committed to the promises you made,'" said Ware. "We're going to be working while he's working and then say, 'We have a list, what will you do with it?'"

In a statement Thursday, the group's president, J. Willie David, said Ashton's action, "calls into question his commitment to diversity and inclusion, when it comes to racial equality."

Ashton followed up and said he values diversity and that he welcomes the FCRA to help him recruit talent.

"My hope is that final judgment will be withheld until I am allowed to implement my vision for the office which should be completed within the first six months," Ashton said in a news release.